Article published on March 10, 2017.

As you might expect, the best thing about pulling together the 2017 winners of the nudge Book of the Year wasn’t counting the votes but reading the accompanying comments. As I’m sure the authors will agree, there is something pretty special about the enthusiasm of readers for a book – and however generous the marketing budget it wouldn’t ever be able to quite match up to the rave review of an Actual Reader.

We think all of the books on the nudge shortlists are worth paying attention to – almost all of them were Books of the Month in 2016, so it goes without saying – but the winners have been voted for by these actual readers, yes, people who have read the book and cared enough about it to cast their vote…and nobody can say fairer than that.

If any of these are new to you, I suggest you hotfoot it to your nearest independent bookshop (or wherever you get your books from, no judgment here) and acquire them – that’s not us speaking, that’s people like you. Actual readers.

Without further ado, I present to you the nudge 2017 Book of the Year winners.

Mel Mitchell, March 2017

BOOKHUGGER 2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR: OWL SONG AT DAWN BY EMMA CLAIRE SWEENEY

“A compassionate account of disability and how it affects lives. I remember how I felt when I read it, which I can’t say about many other novels.” Dave, Hemel Hemspstead

“I was blown away by this book! It was such a powerful story about the different paths our lives can take – the decisions we may regret and that perhaps it’s never too late to live and love again. Books should make you think, make you learn about something you may not be familiar with whether it be a place, a time, an illness or a perspective. This book does that. There were times I laughed and cried and when I finished, I wanted to read it all over again. I can’t recommend this book enough!” Lauren

BOOKLIFE 2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR: THE OUTRUN BY AMY LIPTROT

“Beautiful interweaving of personal story and nature writing. Writing that made me reread passages which were so universally true that they felt like that were about me.” Peggy, Manchester

“The Outrun is beautifully written and refreshing. The author is able to transport the reader right into the heart of nature and landscape. It made me re-think the wider picture of life.” Sarah, Greenwich

BOOKNOIR 2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR: THE KILLING FILES BY NIKKI OWEN

“I loved The Spider in the Corner of the Room and thought this was an excellent second novel. Nikki writes such dark, atmospheric prose but also something that’s page turning and compelling. Amazing.” Claire, Bath

“Extremely well written. His prose was educated and faultless. I felt transported back to the French village way of life. And the anticipation of the race and internal conflict of the cyclist.” Craig, Lower Hutt

“Patriotism. Plus it’s very good.” Adam, Auckland

BOOKDIVA 2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR: MOVING BY JENNY ECLAIR

“I honestly couldn’t put it down. The characters were fascinating and varied. I really cared about what would happen. Really well written.” Jayne, Glossop

“Beautifully written and the kind of book that makes you laugh and cry all in the same chapter – difficult to put down once you’ve started!” Donna, Epsom

BOOKGEEK 2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR: CONJUROR BY JOHN AND CAROLE BARROWMAN

“The authors brilliantly mix present day world young people dealing with the mythical worlds of the past and real history. It is exciting and gripping and suspensefully written. A great story!” Claudia

“My children love this book. We enjoy sharing and talking about it with them. We loved the plot and the characters are great. Anytime you can find a book that makes kids so enthusiastic about reading that also stirs their imagination in a good way is a definite winner to me.” Sarah Jane, Shelby

Watch out for the next issue of nb magazine, coming early April, where we’ll be announcing the nb Reading Group Book of the Year 2017 – head over to the nudge shop to subscribe!